Apple Pauses AI Feature Deployment in Europe Due to "EU Regulatory Concerns"

"Digital Market Act Regulations Pose Data Security Risks"

Major foreign media reported that Apple has decided to postpone the AI features planned for iPhones and other devices in Europe.

According to Bloomberg and others, on the 21st (local time), Apple announced that it will not introduce new AI features such as 'Apple Intelligence,' as well as iPhone mirroring and screen sharing functions, to its devices in EU countries this year due to concerns that the EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA), a regulatory law for tech companies, could undermine the security of its products and services. In a statement, Apple said, "We are concerned that DMA's compatibility requirements could force us to compromise the integrity of our products in ways that expose users' personal information and data security to risk."

On the 10th (local time), Apple's 'Annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2024' is being held at Apple Park headquarters in Cupertino, California, USA.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Enforced since March in the EU, the Digital Markets Act designates major tech companies like Apple, Google, and Meta as 'gatekeepers,' requiring them to allow interoperability between their own platforms and third-party services. Violations can result in fines of up to 10% of their global annual revenue.

The European Commission has been investigating whether Apple violated the law by forcing app developers to use its in-app payment system since the DMA came into effect. Regarding Apple's announcement to postpone the AI features, the Commission stated, "We welcome gatekeepers providing their services in Europe as long as they comply with our rules to ensure fair competition."

At the annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) on the 10th, Apple revealed its strategy to apply the AI system Apple Intelligence across all its devices, including iPhones, Apple Watches, and Macs. Apple plans to first integrate AI features into the iPhone operating system iOS and other software updates this year, and through a partnership with OpenAI, incorporate ChatGPT into the AI voice assistant Siri.

However, with Apple's decision to postpone the launch of these new features in the EU region, Bloomberg reported that consumers in 27 countries including France, Germany, Spain, and Italy will not be able to access Apple's ambitious AI technology for the time being.